Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Jalisco, ca. 500 BCE to 500 CE.  An impressive hand-built pottery figure of a seated male with his arms folded together and resting on his raised knees. Capped with a headband, the ancient figure pulls his hair back into a rear bun. His fascinating visage displays slender eyes, a large, curved nose, and an open mouth held in a gentle smile, all flanked by two sizable ears. A series of broad red-orange stripes adorns his cream hued tunic, and four arm bands decorate his biceps. Size: 5" W x 7" H (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)

West Mexican shaft tomb figures like this one derive their names from the central architectural feature that we know of from this culture. These people would build generally rectangular vertical shafts from the ground level down to narrow horizontal tunnels that led to one or more vaulted or rounded burial chambers. The geomorphology in the area means that these chambers are dug out of tepetate, a type of volcanic tuff material, which gives the chambers a rough-edged look. Although the dimensions of the chambers vary considerably, some only large enough to hold a single burial and its offerings, others seem designed to hold entire lineages. The placement of burial goods like this hollow figure was very similar. Grouped with other hollow figures, and alongside clay bowls, and boxes, they were positioned around the body (or bodies), near the skull. Unfortunately, we lack the information we would need to understand what these figures were made for - Do they represent everyday people, even individuals? Are they religious? Were they created to mediate between the living and the dead? Whatever their purpose, today they are beautiful artworks and reminders of the mysterious past.

Provenance: private Hawaii USA collection; ex-private Hollywood, California, USA collection; ex-Ron Messick Fine Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-Roy Oswald collection, Arizona, USA, between 1960 to 2004

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#101832

Collection label on base. Minor perforation to top of head. Chip on proper left side of headband. Otherwise, intact and excellent with scattered mineral deposits throughout.